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Juan Pablo Montoya: 1975—: Race Car Driver

Approached Races With Relaxed Attitude




The Colombian's success in F1 reinvigorated interest for the sport in his home country. And in a country preoccupied with a 35-year civil conflict, drug trafficking, and rampant violent crime, Montoya became a national hero. "It's a country that needs heroes, but one that's tired of its soccer heroes," Ricardo Soler of the Colombian Automotive Federation told the Chicago Tribune. "Juan Pablo has become the alternative." When Montoya started appearing on the international racing scene, children started flocking to enroll in beginner kart courses. His face appeared in countless Colombian magazines and billboards, and he appeared television commercials for beer, airlines, and cell phones.



What sets Montoya apart from his competitors is his apparent lack of concern with the infinite details of the sport. While other drivers are famous for their meticulous fitness and rigorous physical training programs, Montoya never so much as steps into a gym to work out. As teams, sponsors, highly trained engineers, and millions of fans worldwide gear up for a season in the multi-million dollar sport, Montoya has shrugged off any notion of pressure or stress. "I just get in the car and see what happens," he told Jim White. "You can't do anything else. My job is to drive. That's all."

Sources

Periodicals


Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 19, 1999, p. E11.

Chicago Tribune, February 28, 1999, p. 16; September 19, 1999, p. 18; September 28, 2001.

New York Times, May 27, 2001, p. 5; May 26, 2002, p. 13.

Sports Illustrated, May 10, 1999, p. 88.

USA Today, May 28, 1999, p. 1F; June 12, 2001, p. C8.

Washington Post, September 28, 2002, p. D12.


On-line


"Interview Juan Pablo Montoya (February 25, 2002)," Guardian Online, (London, England), www.guardian.co.uk (February 5, 2003).

"Juan Pablo Montoya," Formula1.com, www.formula1.com/drivers/h826.html (February 5, 2003).

"Juan Pablo Montoya," Formula One Database, www.f1db.com (February 5, 2003).

Juan Pablo Montoya Official Site, www.jpmontoya.com (February 5, 2003).

—Brenna Sanchez

Additional topics

Brief BiographiesBiographies: Barbara Barbieri McGrath (1953–) Biography - Personal to Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) BiographyJuan Pablo Montoya: 1975—: Race Car Driver Biography - Raced Way To Teen Karting Champion, Became Youngest Champion Ever, Approached Races With Relaxed Attitude